Flowers worth Rs 500 million were sold during this year’s Tihar festival, with the highest sales recorded in the Kathmandu Valley. According to Dilip Bade, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN), flower transactions this year nearly matched last year’s figures.
The average price of a normal flower garland was Rs 100 this year. FAN President Bade noted that flower trading was smoother this year as the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) designated 46 locations for flower sales, providing farmers with fixed selling venues.
The flower market in Nepal has been growing by 15-20% annually, though domestic flower production only increases by about 10% each year. While local production meets demand for makhamali (globe amaranth) and godavari (chrysanthemum) flowers, marigolds and red roses are imported from India to fulfill market needs.
Commercial flower cultivation has expanded to 52 districts, including Kaski, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Kavrepalanchok, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading, and Morang, as well as the three districts in the Kathmandu Valley.
Bade reported that 450 species of flowers are grown commercially in Nepal, benefiting over 44,000 people. Currently, 1,184 farmers cultivate flowers on a commercial scale across 221 hectares of land. -- RSS
